Live No Lies (Lawson & Abernathy 2)

Greg’s eyes fixated upon the picture, and he sat up instantly from his chair, his countenance turning almost instantly from indifference to shock, then anger.

“You bastard! How did you get this?”

“Finally, something that strikes a bell. That’s your younger sister, Ava, right?”

Greg spared him a glance, then resumed staring at the picture. Mack opened another folder and slid it toward Greg.

“I also know she murdered someone some months ago. You can see all the findings there in that file. However, for some reason, the case was slid under the rug. Well, I’m here now, and I can pull it back out again.”

Greg stared at Mack. The fear on his face was palpable.

Now, I’ve got him just where I want him.

“But this isn’t a problem, because hey, you and your sister get to be in jail together. So, it’s not like I’m keeping you two apart.”

Mack caught him looking at the two-way mirror again. And then it hit him. Greg was really wary. He was wary of being watched, very much different then the confident man he pretended to be.

Mack began replaying scenes in his head. The way the cops had looked at him when he brought Greg in. The cockiness he displayed even in Boyce’s presence. Boyce asked him what he was doing. Mack could feel the connections linking.

The fear only hit Greg now, when he realized he and his sister would be going to jail. He’d been very confident before now. He must have thought I was only wasting his time, and that he was going to be out of here in no time. Plus, there’s the burial of his sister's case to think about.

And then it all fell into place for Mack, clear and true.

Mack refocused on Greg before him. He could almost sense the guy’s indecision from where he sat. Mack could tell that Greg was fighting inside him. It was his love for his sister versus his loyalty or fear of Dimitri. He’d have to choose one, though. Mack didn’t intend on letting Greg out without making a choice.

I’ve got him.

“Look,” Mack said, donning an understanding expression and a persuasive voice. He leaned forward, and stopped the recording. “Off the record, there’s a way I can get you out of this pickle.”

“How?” Greg blurted. Quickly, he shut his mouth up and gazed at the two-way mirror.

“Look, there’s nobody in there,” Mack told him.

“What?”

“There’s nobody there. The observation room is empty. I kind of strayed a little from the concrete procedure. I’m not from around here, and I don’t think they like me very much.”

Mack paused to let that sink in. Then he asked, “There are cops covering for Dimitri, aren’t there?”

Greg stared at Mack. He was hesitant about saying anything. Mack sighed, and reached out to retrieve the picture of Greg’s sister so he could pack up.

“Yes,” Greg blurted quickly. “Yes, there are.”

Mack smiled.

Now, who’s a good boy?

“How many?”

“A lot,” Greg said. “Even the sheriff.”

“Wow,” Mack said.

“Look you said you can get me out of this.”

Mack sensed the desperation in Greg’s voice, and he smiled inwardly. He had him on a leash.

“And my sister too,” Greg added.